Sometimes, when one wanders long enough in the inscrutable labyrinth of the bureaucracy, one confronts not the Minotaur of crude administrative obfuscation but a true gem. Here are selections from one such gem, the new "Leadership Life Newsletter" coughed up by SDA to "guide you [student leaders] through the challenging and important task of leading your peers". How ought an aspiring leader do it by the book? Read on...

From the section "Setting Expectations":

"Setting expectations is an important step in developing a team. This activity will enable everyone in your group to share what they expect of themselves, and each other as they work together to accomplish the common goal(s) of the group.

1. Pass around a 'bank' of pennies. Have each group member give the bank a shake and take however many pennies fall out (maximum 5 pennies).
2. Once everyone has pennies, have each group member come up with expectations that they have for members of the group (i.e., how the group will function, deal with conflict, etc.) Each member will need to share as many expectation thoughts as they have pennies.
3. Have everyone share their thoughts and create a visual expectations list. As a group, review and discuss the list making revisions as needed. The following questions are helpful in guiding your group's discussion:
-> Were you surprised to see some of the expectations listed? Which ones? Why?
-> How will the group confront individuals not living up to the agreed upon expectations?
-> How can you hold yourself accountable?
-> What do you think will be the most challenging expectation to uphold as a group?
After the list is collectively agreed upon, remind everyone that they are responsible for holding themselves and each other accountable.
4. Have each member keep one of their pennies as a reminder of the mutual expectations they all agreed to."

Their source for this wisdom? "The Big Binder of Leadership Activities"

More advice- and an appearance by CC'09 president George Krebs -after the jump.